Vice President Mike Pence speaks to a crowd at the O’Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. (Photo: Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA)

Earlier this month, Pence gave a similar speech on religious freedom to the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Pence said Christians are persecuted in the United States and throughout the world, but he also cited the recent terrorist attacks on two mosques in New Zealand, where 50 people were killed.

"No one should ever fear for their safety in a place of worship, be that a mosque, a church or a synagogue anywhere in the world," Pence said.

He went on to condemn anti-Semitism.

"It's rearing its ugly head around the Earth and even in the halls of Congress," Pence said.

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Vice President Mike Pence is greeted by a crowd as he takes the stage at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence speaks to a crowd at the O’Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence waves to the crowd as he takes the stage at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence shakes hands with students as he takes the stage at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Students clap as they listen to Vice President Mike Pence's speech at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Attendees bow their heads in prayer before a speech by Vice President Mike Pence at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence speaks to a crowd at the O’Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

A woman records as Vice President Mike Pence greets attendees after speaking at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence speaks to a crowd at the O’Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence claps for Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart for his work with Venezuela at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Audience members clap during a speech by Vice President Mike Pence at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence speaks to a crowd at the O’Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence talks to Ave Maria University President Jim Towey after his speech at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence greets members of the crowd after his speech at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence shakes hands with students after his speech at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence waves to a crowd before his speech at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

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However, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, was criticized earlier this month for her comments regarding Israel and its influence in U.S. politics. Her comments were deemed anti-Semitic and denounced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders.

Pence's remarks Thursday came after a visit to the Mother Teresa museum at Ave Maria.

Pence had been greeted by a crowd of about 100 people at Naples Airport when Air Force Two touched down just after 10 a.m. Pence was scheduled to attend a private Victory Trump event in Naples After he left Ave Maria, before flying to Jacksonville for another one.

Pence referred to Trump on several occasions, and the audience applauded at nearly all mentions.

Vice President Mike Pence waves to the crowd as he takes the stage at the O'Bryan Performance Hall in the Thomas and Selby Prince Building at Ave Maria University on Thursday, March 28, 2019.(Photo: Alex Driehaus/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA)

Pence thanked U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, for his work to bring attention to Venezuela's political crisis. Diaz-Balart, who represents much of Collier County, received a standing ovation.

Fabiana Rosales de Guaido, the wife of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, met with Trump on Wednesday at the White House. Pence called Guaido the "rightful president of Venezuela."

Pence also addressed Ave Maria students directly. The private Catholic university with just more than 1,000 students welcomed Pence inside the Thomas and Selby Prince building. The event was closed to the public, but about 400 seats were filled, many by students.

"Just think of me as a warm-up act for commencement in a couple weeks," Pence said.

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Vice President Mike Pence waves as he exits Air Force Two and greets those waiting on his arrival at the Naples Airport on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Morgan Hornsby/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence greets friends and family who awaited his arrival at the Naples Airport via Air Force Two on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Morgan Hornsby/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Vice President Mike Pence greets those who awaited his arrival at the Naples Airport via Air Force Two on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Pence signed autographs and took photos with many people in attendance. Morgan Hornsby/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

Members of the crowd wait to greet Vice President Mike Pence after his arrival at the Naples Airport via Air Force Two on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Morgan Hornsby/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

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Freshman Kelly McCreary, 19, said she attended Pence's speech to hear ideas; 2020 will be her first time voting in a presidential election.

"I'm more here just to listen than to learn," McCreary said. "I'm still kind of new to the political world, so I'm not sure where I stand on any issues."

Pence closed his speech by calling for students to be leaders, especially during the next 16 to 18 months leading up to the election. He urged students to persevere as people challenge their religion or criticize them for their beliefs.